Biographies

   I am honored to be the first President of Clan Fleming Scottish Society. My Scottish heritage is one of my passions or as my wife calls it, “my obsession”. My 7th great grandfather, Joseph Fleming immigrated to the New England Colonies from London Derry Northern Ireland in 1718, settling in Palmer, Massachusetts. Sometime between 1612 and the date of my many greats grandfather's departure from Northern Ireland, my Fleming ancestors crossed the Irish Sea from Argyllshire, Scotland and were among the tens of thousands of Scots who participated in the plantation of Ulster.

In my younger years, I was an amateur athlete. I played rugby union for many years and in my early 30's decided to give kick boxing, and mma a whirl.  Needless to say I admittedly was a better rugby player.  

   I married in my mid 30's settling down into management positions in DIY box retailers. In my early 40's, I discovered another passion and entered the educational system as a behavioral support specialist, helping students with social/emotional needs.  Eventually I became an assistant P.E. instructor collaborating with teachers to develop physical education curriculum.  I've initiated and continue in the development of competitive athletic programs at our school to increase the visibility of our athletes. 

    In college I discovered anthropology and I've always been fascinated in prehistory up to the medieval period. On the tactile side I've toyed around with experimental archaeology, archery, and axe throwing.  On occasion, I get to mix my passions teaching athletes about Highland games and students about Scottish history. 

My family loves to go camping and we spend most of our summers traveling to new places...hopefully we’ll get to meet some of you at Clan Fleming gatherings. In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to help you explore your Scottish heritage feel free to email me. 

 I am so excited about this opportunity, as a founding member of Clan Fleming Scottish Society, to serve as one of the Vice Presidents and Treasurer. I married into the Fleming family in 2018 and started down the rabbit hole of genealogy. I am a retired college professor, so curiosity and research come naturally. My husband’s (Larry Fleming) family thought they were Irish; needless to say, they were surprised to find out that they are Scottish. They have embraced their heritage thoroughly...from kilts to whisky. I am also of Celtic descent; part Scottish (MacLachlan) and Welsh (Davis). There is also a bit of Dutch (Hout) in me too. 

I started my career as a banker. Then became a serial business owner with an accounting practice, entrepreneurial consulting practice, and a travel agency. I came to education as a second career and fell in love teaching accounting, marketing, and management. I recently retired after a brief stint as an Associate Dean. 

Travel is one of my passions and we were very lucky to visit Scotland this fall and explore some Fleming ancestors. I also love reading, mostly mysteries and fantasy, but there is nothing like sitting down on the sofa in front of a fire reading about Scottish history and culture while, of course, listening to soulful Celtic melodies. 

James Michael Fleming is an Australian family historian and writer. His earliest known Fleming forebears were John Fleming and Mary Millar (who were married at Stonehouse in Lanarkshire on 8 May 1709) and their son Robert (born about 1730 at nearby Avondale).

Jim has published a facsimile copy of the diary that his GGG-grandfather (Charles Fleming) wrote during his 1883 emigration voyage to Australia; photograph catalogues for both his paternal and maternal families; and several articles in genealogical journals. He will publish a book about his GGG-grandparents James and Frances Reed in 2024 and is well advanced with plans for his next book about the Entwistle family that had sixteen members sentenced to be transported to Australia as convicts.

As a researcher, Jim has overcome numerous difficult genealogical roadblocks, debunked a few family furphies and has published many family biographies, short stories and detailed research reports on this website (https://www.jimfleming.id.au/). He plans to write a book about the Fleming clans of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in due course.

Jim obtained a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Sydney before enjoying a 33-year career with the Australian Customs Service, culminating in several years as a Customs Director. In retirement he lives on Sydney’s lower north shore where (apart from genealogy) he enjoys travelling and sings baritone in two choirs. He is a foundation member of the Clan Fleming Scottish Society and a member of the Society of Australian Genealogists, the Bathurst Family History Group, the Entwistle Family History Association and the Turton Local History Society.